NRMA Education Connection Newsletter

1. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic School Liaison Officer Newsletter
EDUCATION CONNECTION NAVY INS Addressing educational issues that affect military children in Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
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Issue 6, August 2012
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SPECIAL NEEDS/EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM
Special Needs/EFMP
Easing The Transition For Special Needs Children
By Janet K. McCarthy M.Ed., Naval Station Newport SLO IN THIS ISSUE:
X Page 1 .............................................................EFMP
For families of EFMP children there is an added element ......................(Exceptional Family Member Program)
of concern during transition to a new location. Because of differing Page 2 .................................................“Ask Sharon”
...............................Month of the Military Child Recap
Special Education Laws in each state and the complications that are Page 3..............................Getting to Know Your SLO
often associated with adjusting to a new environment for many EFMP ..............................Education News from The Capital
children, transition can be a stressful time. To minimize the stress it is Page 4-5 .............Grade Level Curriculum Resources
especially important that families become familiar with the services Page 6-7 ........JEBLC & Shelton Park Elem Team Up
available at their new school while being particularly organized in Page 8-11 ...........................................Touching Base
..(Quarterly U.S. DoE Military Community Newsletter)
putting together the necessary documents from the sending school. Page 12 ........SLO Contact Information by Installation
Paving the way for a smooth transition can make a difficult situation
become a positive experience.
Here are some tips for easing the transition
with a special needs child.*
1. Keep an open mind! Programs and services may be
different at the new school.
2. Communicate with your child's special education
director and ask for assistance as to what should be
done before the transition to the new school.
Communicate with the special education director at the
district you are moving to and request local policies.
3. Contact the School Liaison Officer and the Exceptional
Family Member (EFMP) Program at your new
installation. They will assist you in identifying
resources at your new duty station.
4. After informing the current school of the pending move,
get complete copies of educational and health records,
including IEP, evaluations, diagnoses, shots and other
pertinent information.
5. Make sure that your child's IEP is active at the time of
transfer.
6. To facilitate the scheduling and assignment process for
the new school, ask that they accept your child's IEP in
advance for review.
7. Along with the name, phone number, and e-mail
address of the teacher who knows your child best, get
a list by subject of textbooks and instructional
resources that your child is currently using.
8. Make sure you have the correct address, phone
numbers, website, fax number and contact information
for your sending school.
9. Send school records to the new school and set up a
meeting time prior to arrival. On arrival, make an
appointment to introduce your child.
10. Be sure to take any special equipment and refill
medication prescriptions that your child may need for
the next few months.
* Some Of These Tips Are Taken From Stomp (Specialized
Training for Military Parents)

2. CNRMA School Liaison Officer Newsletter
Ask Sharon! “I will be PCS’ing to another state. Can you provide a
By Sharon Black, NNSY SLO checklist of information needed for school transfer?”
X X
“My son's birthday is after the required September 30 Here is a general checklist for transferring
qualification date for kindergarten at his new school. He is students from state to state. This may not be a
qualified in our home state and I don't want him to fall complete list and you may need to call your School
behind when we go back home. What can I do?” Liaison Officer for further information.
X
Each state sets its own age requirements for Pre- New School Checklist
Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 enrollment. I ¨ Residency/Military Orders
Proof of
understand it can be very frustrating to learn that even a ¨ Birth Certificate or other proof of identity
one-day difference can mean your child will not qualify to ¨ Card/Transcript/Course History
Report
attend a public school, but it is the state law and school (with grading system, and Class Rank)
policy. Ask for a copy of the school policy and any ¨ Information/Standardized Test Scores,
Testing
available local options or waivers. You can also look into ¨ Course Test Scores, Competency Test
End of
private school options. Scores
Also, the Interstate Compact on Educational ¨ Records (including Shot Records)
Health
Opportunities for Military Children states that: ¨ Security Number
Social
Kindergarten and First grade entrance age – Students ¨ Activities Record (such as co/extracurricular)
shall be allowed to continue their enrollment at grade level ¨ IEP/504/Gifted Records
in the receiving state equal with their grade level ¨ Records
JROTC
(including Kindergarten) from a local education agency in ¨ Guardianship/Custody Papers
the sending state at the time of transition, regardless of ¨ of Recommendations
Letters
age. A student that has satisfactorily completed the (especially for senior students)
prerequisite grade level in the local education agency in ¨ Samples (if available)
Writing
the sending state shall be eligible for enrollment in the ¨ or Action Plans for classroom
At-Risk
next highest grade level in the receiving state, regardless modifications (if available)
of age. A student transferring after the start of the school ¨ Portfolios (if available)
year in the receiving state shall enter the school in the
receiving state on their validated level from an accredited
school in the sending state.
Month Of The Military Child –
Events Throughout the Region
April was the Month of the Military Child. Military
children sacrifice a lot when their parent is in the military.
To say thank you for all of their sacrifices many events
were held throughout the region. NSA Hampton Roads
held a Month of the Military Child Fun Run. Children ages
6-9 ran ½ mile and children ages 10-13 ran 1 mile at Slade
Cutter Athletic Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Snacks were
provided along with gift bags and a medal. Naval Station
Norfolk held a Kidz Expo the weekend of April 28th.
Vendors were on hand to provide parents with information
about summer camps on and off base. Kids enjoyed a
fashion show, popcorn, sno-cones, face painting, games
and door prizes. The same event was held at JEB Little
Creek the following weekend. NSA Saratoga Springs held
a Military Child Celebration. Children colored, planted
seedlings for Earth Day, decorated flower pots, received
gift bags and were provided lunch. Naval Station Newport
sponsored a spa day in honor of the Month of the Military
Child. Children were treated to manicures, pedicures,
facials and a personal grooming station. NMCP and NNSY
Portsmouth held a Family Fun Festival in honor of military
children. There was a kids run, football throwing contest,
three-legged race, sack races, corn hole and basketball
toss. Three families also won NEX gift cards at the end of
the event!
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3. Issue 6, August 2012
Getting To Know Your SLO: Katrina Patterson
NWS Yorktown School Liaison Officer
Mrs. Patterson, please tell us about your professional experiences: “I was an
elementary school teacher for Hampton City Public Schools for 9 years. While my
husband was stationed in Japan, I worked for Navy Child and Youth Programs as a
Program Assistant at the CDC in Ikego Housing. I have also served as the
Kindergarten Lead Teacher at Hampton University's Child Development Center.”
Mrs. Patterson, please share a few interesting facts about your prior
experiences: “ As a former teacher, I understand the importance of education. This
enables me, as a SLO, to help parents become strong advocates for the education
of their children. I am also a Navy spouse and the mother of a 7-year old daughter.
I truly understand the challenges that come with frequent transitions and deployments. These personal
experiences have helped me to understand the importance of helping our military families with school related
transition issues.”
Mrs. Patterson, tell us, what do you hope to accomplish as the SLO at NWS Yorktown: “I hope to assist in
establishing a strong relationship between the installation and local school districts and to help parents become
even better advocates for their children's education.”
As we close this interview, can you please share a few interesting unknown facts: “I love the performing arts,
especially dancing and acting. I am on the praise dance ministry at my church and several years ago I did a little
acting in a local play.”
Students tour NAS Oceana as part of the Tidewater Technology Student Association Rally.
EDUCATION NEWS FROM THE CAPITAL
X
Encouraging AP Success For All Students
By Mary Ann Rankin (excerpt from article in Education Week April 12, 2012)
Our efforts to help prepare the next generation for success in college and beyond, by fostering enrollment and
strong performance in Advanced Placement coursework, have achieved success over the past decade, according
to recent data from the College Board, which sponsors the AP program. But there is still work to be done when it
comes to traditionally under-represented minority students. However, the data also illuminate issues of uneven
accessibility and performance, particularly among minority students. Nearly half a million high school students
were either left out of an AP class for which they were deemed capable or attended a school that did not offer such
subjects, according to the AP report, which was released in February. Minority students were disproportionately
affected: Nearly 80 percent of African-American students and 70 percent of Hispanic students who could have
done well in an AP course did not take one because they lacked the opportunity, encouragement, or motivation to
participate, the report from College Board said.
Why is it so critical to ensure access and success in these rigorous, college-level courses? Research indicates
that students who succeed on an AP exam during high school are more likely than their peers to achieve academic
success in college; they are also more likely to earn a college degree and incur lower college costs by finishing in
four years or less. In fact if a high school student passes just one AP course, the probability of his or her
graduating from college is more than three times higher than for students with comparable SAT scores who did not
take AP coursework. For minority students, graduation rates are as much as four times higher for students who
have passed at least one AP exam. Mary Ann Rankin can be reached at mrankin@nationalmathandscience.org
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4. CNRMA School Liaison Officer Newsletter
Big Shifts Anticipated For Math Instruction
By Erik W. Robelen (excerpt from article in Education Week April 25, 2012)
Across the nation, big shifts are afoot as 45 states and thousands of school districts gear up to implement the
Common Core State Standards in mathematics. The standards will change the grade levels at which some content
is introduced, push aside other topics altogether to achieve greater depth, and ask students to engage in eight
“mathematical practices” to show their understanding, from making sense of problems to reasoning abstractly and
constructing viable arguments. They outline a set of eight Standards of Mathematical Practice, which describe
ways in which students ought to engage with the subject matter as they grow in mathematical maturity and
expertise throughout the school year:
X
• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
• Model with mathematics.
• Use appropriate tools strategically.
• Attend to precision.
• Look for and make use of structure.
• Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
X
States and districts face a host of challenges in adapting to the standards from ensuring that teachers are
adequately prepared and supported to overhauling the curriculum and, more broadly, figuring out exactly what
exemplary classroom practices tied to the standards should look like. An array of initiatives have emerged to ease
the transition to the new standards. For one, the 11 states, plus the District of Columbia, that won a slice of $4
billion in federal Race to the Top aid have had extra money to fuel professional development and devise new
resources to help schools, among other activities.
Meanwhile, a set of leading national groups, including the NCTM, the Association of State Supervisors of
Mathematics, and the Council of Chief State School Officers, have formed the Math Common Core Coalition to
offer expertise and advice on the standards. One new resource touted by several math educators is the Illustrative
Mathematics Project website, which aims to supply high-quality math tasks, all carefully vetted by math experts
and teachers, to illustrate the range and types of work that students will experience in a “faithful” execution of the
standards.
GRADE-LEVEL CURRICULUM RESOURCES
Elementary Education
Promoting Summer Reading with Your Elementary Student
Summer is a time of fun and relaxing but unfortunately it is also a time when children do not read as much.
When the child starts school again in the fall they could be as much as a grade level behind in their reading.
Promoting reading with your elementary student is very important, especially in the summer. By reading in the
summer the child will continue to develop their reading skills, expand their vocabulary, and hopefully develop a love
of reading that follows them into adulthood.
Talk to your child's teacher or school about a recommended summer reading list. You can also, check with your
child's school to see if they offer an incentive for summer reading. Another great place to find a summer reading list
is your local library. They can recommend books that are age appropriate and grade appropriate. This summer the
DoD MWR Libraries are offering a free summer reading program. The theme of this program is: Reading Is So
Delicious! The child will keep a log throughout the summer of how much reading he/she has done. Prizes will be
given out based on the child's participation. The books read can come from home, the local library, or the library on
base. For more information, go to the following website; www.ila.org/dodsumread
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Georgia has become the 42nd state to join the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military
Children. On April 25, 2012 Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 277 into law at a ceremony at Fort
Benning, GA. This compact ensures military families that there will be uniform treatment of their children as they
transfer between school districts and states. The Council of State Governments along with concerned educators,
parents, military personnel, and state educational officials came together to draft this compact. It was developed to
help ease the difficulties that military children face as they transfer school to school because of their parents job in
the military. For more information on the compact you can view details at www.mic3.net/index.aspx or contact your
local school liaison officer.
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5. Issue 6, August 2012
Middle School Education
Don't Let Your Middle School Student Loose Interest During the Summer
Middle school is a time for students to start to develop their own identity in regards to the school subjects they
enjoy or struggle in. For the classes that they do not favor or are struggling in, summer relieves some of the
pressure but also makes it difficult for them to succeed in the subject once the new school year starts. Since they
were not successful with the subject during the school year they probably have no interest in reviewing the subject
during the summer. This unfortunately doesn't help the child because the things they did learn they have now
forgotten when the new school year starts.
As a parent, summer is the perfect time to work with your child one on one with a subject they are struggling in.
Borrowing books from the library and purchasing workbooks for your child to work on during the summer will help
them to succeed the following school year. There are great resources out there to help your child. The SOAR
(Student Online Achievement Resources) program is an internet-based program for students in grades 3-12. SOAR
identifies strengths and areas where students may need improvement, tailors instruction to address the specific
needs of a student, and provides remediation and enrichment resources. The program helps reinforce and review
subjects such as math, reading, and language arts. Children will be directed to tutorials that will improve their skills
where needed. To learn more about the SOAR program please visit www.soarathome.org
A great resource to keep your child engaged in learning during the summer is Navy Knowledge Online. Children
can learn a foreign language, study grade appropriate content in math, reading, science and writing, and download
audio books. The site contains an international children's library with a collection of world literature. For more
information on this resource, visit www.nko.navy.mil. Another resource is www.tutor.com which provides tutors to
children in more than 16 subjects from elementary to high school courses. This program allows your child to receive
help from a certified counselor. All of these programs are completely free.
Secondary Education
Getting a Head Start on College
It is never too early for a teenager to start thinking about college. Yes, college is expensive and talking about
finances is not always fun; but summer is the perfect time for your child to use the internet to explore some
colleges. By exploring their options and the different programs that colleges offer; teenagers will stay motivated.
Keeping them motivated about college is very important and the sooner parents learn about what their teenager's
plans are; the better. If there are colleges that your teenager is interested in that are local, summer would be a great
time to go for a tour of the campus. Allow your teenager the chance to feel what it is like to walk a college campus,
explore the different organizations, and eat at the food court. Hanging out at the student center talking to students
who already attend the college is another way for teenagers to get some insight into what college life is like.
Parents should take the time to sit down and agree on how they are going to finance their child's education.
Hopefully the child has a college fund or some sort of savings already started. Parents will want to check out
www.collegeboard.com for resources and information about college planning. Also, speaking with your local School
Liaison Officer can prove helpful. Another option to help pay for college is the Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer. If the
military member has decided not to use their GI Bill, they can transfer it to their spouse or children. Visit
www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect for more information.
Resources For Parents – Colleges Offer Incoming Freshman a Summer 'Bridge'
By Caralee Adams (excerpt from article in Educational Week May 9, 2012)
On a placement test in his senior year of high school, Ruben Ortiz found out he was not ready for college-level
math. His counselor suggested a summer “bridge” program at El Paso Community College to get up to speed.
“Summer bridge programs can provide an important head start on college,” said Elisabeth Barnett, a senior
research associate at Teachers College, Columbia University, and the Community College Research Center in New
York. “They can increase the chances that students will enter college without needing remediation, and they can
help students to gain comfort with the college environment and with themselves as college students.”
Such programs, which tend to run four to five weeks, offer intensive academic instruction. At-risk students are often
recruited and colleges generally pick up the tab as an enticement. Students can come for the day or, at some
institutions, live in the dorms. In developmental programs, classes focus on mathematics or English. Other
campuses allow students to take a broader range of courses. Almost all find providing “college knowledge” through
peer mentors is a valuable way to help students feel more confident about the transition to campus.
It can be demoralizing for students eager to go to college to find out they are not ready for college-level work,
said Lone Star's Ms. Anderson. But summer bridge programs can build their confidence, she added. “It starts out
their college careers on the right foot.”
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6. CNRMA School Liaison Officer Newsletter
JEB Little Creek and Elementary School Team Up To Preserve Chesapeake Bay
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared Walker, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk
Virginia Beach, Va. (NNS) -- The Shelton Park Elementary School Science Club conducted its final count and
measurements June 12 of oysters the students helped raise on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story
(JEBLC). Shelton Park Elementary School joined forces with JEBLC to assist with educating students about
raising oysters in an effort to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The base established an oyster reef in its harbor in
April 2010 in support of the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement to increase native oysters in the bay.
"The base is a big supporter of the Chesapeake Bay Program. In support of the program, we created an oyster
reef out here about two years ago. We dumped over 18 trucks loads of shells to serve as a foundation for the
natural oysters that grow in these waters," said Sharon Waligora, the environmental division director for the Public
Works Department for JEBLC.
Students from the science club brought classroom-raised oysters and placed them in containers next to
JEBLC's oyster reef in November. The students returned every month to monitor the oysters' progress. Melissa
Follin, a teacher at Shelton Elementary School said the children are doing more than just measuring oysters. "By
the children being involved in this project, I think they have learned they can be involved in the world and help
make a difference," Follin said.
Oysters benefit the environment by filtering water and forming reefs which provide habitats for many species of
fish and crabs. The Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement was signed by the states of Virginia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, establishing the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay's
ecosystem.
The following photos also appeared in The Virginian Pilot Newspaper on June 13, 2012.
Kaitlynn Evans, 10, a student at Shelton Park Elementary School, writes down statistics while she and other students do the final sort, count
and measurement of oysters Tuesday, June 12, 2012, on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. The school and the base joined
together late last year to create a service project for the students to grow oysters that will be transplanted to the Chesapeake Bay. (Sean
Proctor | The Virginian-Pilot)
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7. Issue 6, August 2012
INITIAL COUNT AND MEASURE OF OYSTERS (Nov 1, 2011) JEBLCFS Environmental Division and Port Operations Department
Students and volunteers from the Environmental Club at Shelton volunteers prepare to depart the Mud Flats to place the oysters in
Park Elementary School conduct the initial oyster count and the SAV.
measure.
FINAL COUNT AND MEASURE OF OYSTERS (June 11, 2012)
JEBLCFS Port Operations personnel place the oysters in the SAV Students and volunteers from the Environmental Club at Shelton
area as students and volunteers observe from the Mud Flats Park Elementary School conduct the final oyster count and measure.
Students make observations and compare oyster size at the Mud Students sort the oysters into groups of 10 in order to conduct the
Flats on JEBLCFS. final oyster count at the Mud Flats on JEBLCFS.
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8. CNRMA School Liaison Officer Newsletter
TOUCHING BASE
Quarterly U.S. Department of Education Newsletter for the Military Community
“... when it comes to all of you, when it comes to our military, our veterans, your families, Michelle Obama and
Jill Biden have your back. They are working tirelessly to make sure that our military families are treated with
the honor and respect and support that they deserve. And I could not be prouder of all the efforts that they
have been making on their behalf.” – President Barack Obama at Fort Stewart Army Base, Hinesville, Ga.,
April 27, 2012
Military Mothers Honored at Joining Forces Event
First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, hosted an afternoon tea at the
White House on Thursday, May 10, 2012, to honor military mothers and wives for being "outstanding role models"
for their children, communities and country. The tea celebrated both Military Spouse Appreciation Day and
Mother's Day. The first lady began her speech by thanking the members of the armed forces present for their
service. She also shared with military mothers and wives how, on her long days, she thinks of the women in the
military and keeps pressing on. Sgt. Major Jennifer Wicks of the Active Guard Reserve Transportation Corps and
Transportation School said of the meeting, "[The first lady] told us our children's behavior was a reflection of our
strength and the good decisions we've made raising them. That meant a lot to us all." Mrs. Obama then thanked
grandmothers for "filling in whenever needed."
Following the tea, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden participated in a community service activity at the U.S. Naval
Observatory, on the grounds of which is located the vice president's residence. They were joined by congressional
spouses in assembling hundreds of care packages for
mothers and wives at the request of deployed troops.
Both events were a part of the Joining Forces initiative,
launched last year, for which Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden
work to give back to America's military families.
Military Children Share Their Experiences With
Secretary Arne Duncan
On April 16, Secretary Arne Duncan held a Student
Voices Discussion with 21 high school students in the
D.C. area whose parents are service members. With
the secretary were Patty Shinseki, wife of U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki,
and Marilee Fitzgerald, director of the Department of
Defense Education Activity. Also in attendance from the
Department of Education were Karen Gross, senior
policy advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary
(OUS), and Stefan Huh, director of the Charter Schools Military children share their experiences in Washington, D.C.
Program.
The students shared their educational experiences
and challenges as military family members. These
included frequent relocations from the U.S. to overseas,
the effects of deployments on families, the problems in
transferring course credits and getting school personnel
to meet the needs of military-connected children, of
which there are 1.2 million. One student shared that,
while she had all the credits she needed to graduate as
a senior, she was considered only a junior because she
hadn't taken a specific course. She had taken a similar
course at her prior school but the district of her new
school would not accept it. Incidents like this occur too
frequently to military children, who move from state to
state and from other countries back to the U.S. Please
read more about the event on the blog,
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/25/student-
voices-military-connected-children-inspire-guidance-
DOE Sec. of Ed Arnie Duncan visiting military kids at PNSY
secretary-duncan/
8

9. Issue 6, August 2012
Supporting the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
In celebration of the Month of the Military Child in April, Secretary Duncan sent a Dear Colleague letter to
superintendents of local education agencies' (LEA), members of the Council of Chief State School Officers
(CCSSO) and 18,000 school superintendents. The Dear Colleague letter provided information about the Interstate
Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and encouraged the letter's recipients to fully implement
the compact. To see the full text of the letter, visit: http://www.ed.gov/veterans-and-military-families
Military Members and Educators Share Concerns With Department's Senior Policy Advisor
Karen Gross, senior policy advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary at the Department of Education, met
with students, faculty and staff at Dover High School in Dover, N.H., on May 8. Those present included President
Mark Huddleston of the University of New Hampshire, Base Commander Cpt. Bryant Fuller from Portsmouth Naval
Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, senior administrators, and military personnel and their spouses. During the meeting,
participants discussed concerns of military families, two of which were the affordability of college for all students
and improving educational experiences for vulnerable students in the pre-K – 16 pipeline. In response to those
concerns, Gross shared that the federal government had programs in place, such as the federal loan repayment
options, and tools available online that assist students in selecting quality, affordable education. She also
discussed the proposed Race to the Top and First in the World initiatives for higher education. In answer to
questions about improving educational experiences, Gross spoke of efforts that are already in place. To learn more
about the federal loan repayment options, Race to the Top and First in the World initiatives for higher education,
and other resources for military children, visit
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/IBRPlan.jsp, http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-
office/2012/01/27/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-blueprint-keeping-college-affordable-and-wi and
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/120424.html
Charter Schools Program Director Advises on Starting Charters on Military Bases
On June 20, Stefan Huh, director of the Department's Charter Schools Program, was a panelist for the session
“Starting a Charter School on a Military Base” at the 2012 National Charter Schools Conference. Huh spoke of the
unique challenges charter operators and others involved in startups on military bases face, and the need for new
tools and opportunities to share lessons learned for helping expand charters. Panel members discussed the
growing body of knowledge about the successful development and processes of charters, existing tools and
resources, concepts for professional networking, new charter projects, the challenges for this unique population of
students and the hurdles startups face For more information about the conference, visit
http://www.publiccharters.org/Conference/2012/At-the-Conference/Session-Content.aspx.
Education Department Staff Learn About Readiness and Resilience at the Warrior Resilience Conference
Department of Education staff attended the Warrior Resilience Conference IV, Restoring Readiness:
Individual, Unit, Community and Family, in Washington, D.C., on March 29–30. The conference provided
information, resources and shared experiences for building readiness and enhancing resilience within the
individual, the military family and the community. For more information and resources, go to
http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Training/WarriorResilienceConferenceIV.aspx/.
DoDEA Launches Summer Learning Website to Keep Military Families Engaged in Learning
Many education experts refer to students' experience of the summer months as the “summer brain drain”
because they typically lack academic focus. To protect your children from it this summer, whether they are
kindergarteners or rising seniors, DoDEA has gathered resources to help you keep them engaged and challenged.
Visit the site at http://www.dodea.edu/summerLearning/
DoDEA Hits a Virtual Milestone
The Department of Defense Education Activity Virtual High School granted its first diplomas at a ceremony held
in Peterborough, England, on June 8. Three students residing in Greece, Spain and England received their high
school diplomas from the DoDEA Virtual High School (DVHS) at a joint commencement ceremony with the
students of DoDEA's Alconbury High School. “We're very proud and excited for our graduating seniors,” said Terri
Marshall, principal of the DVHS. “These students are a part of a burgeoning 21st century learning community
where geographical location is no longer an impediment to attaining an accredited high school diploma.” Eligibility
and graduation requirements at the DVHS are the same as those for any DoDEA school.
Officially established in 2010 as a fully accredited supplemental program, DVHS became a comprehensive
diploma-granting institution in school year 2011–12, delivering more than 50 courses to meet DoDEA's regular and
advanced diploma options. Operating from three Virtual Hubs in Korea, Germany and the U.S., the school allows
for synchronous instruction as well as asynchronous learning. All instruction is provided by DoDEA teachers.
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10. CNRMA School Liaison Officer Newsletter
“The Virtual High School increases education options for DoDEA-eligible students. Through the DVHS, these
students were able to earn a high school diploma that has prepared them to enter the world of work, continuing
education and community service,” Marshall said.
DoDEA Schools to Adopt Common Core State Standards
DoDEA is adopting the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) into its curriculum, instruction and assessment
programs. The CCSS initiative began more than two years ago as a collaboration between state governors and
education leaders to introduce consistency in education systems across the nation. This initiative has garnered the
support of 46 states, two territories and the District of Columbia to date. All participants in the CCSS initiative are
working together to implement high-quality standards in English language arts, mathematics and science for
kindergarten through 12th grade. These curriculum standards are research based, rigorous and relevant to the
real world, and reflect the knowledge and skills America's students need for success in college and careers.
To read more about DoDEA implementing the CCSS, visit the DoDEA website at
http://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/releasesDisplay.cfm?prId=20120605
Listen and Learn: Military Parents and School Liaison Officers Speak Out
On April 15, military parents and school liaison officers accompanied their children to the U. S. Department of
Education (ED). While the students were talking with Secretary Duncan, the parents and liaisons met with other
ED officials. Over 40 adults representing all branches of the military discussed their concerns and needs, and gave
suggestions and solutions that would assist the parents. Below are a few of the shared concerns of the parents
and school liaison officers.
• Need for assistance with transition;
• Need for a top-down approach for states to understand and work with military families who move
from state to state;
• Need for schools to communicate with parents who don't have a permanent home address; and
• Need to standardize the curriculum or at least accept similar core areas of courses.
Parents also spoke of special needs, deployment, understanding rank, educating school faculty on the military
and encouraging schools to value military families. The concerns and needs elicited a discussion of suggestions
and solutions to some of the problems, such as the need to
• Provide resources or a kit for families in transition;
• Provide families with webinars and newsletters to keep them up to date with transitions and assistance;
• Utilize guidance counselors to help children acclimate to new surroundings;
• Acknowledge superintendents, teachers and principals who are military friendly;
• Recognize military-friendly schools; and
• Support military parents who begin after-school programs for children in low-income areas.
Military–Connected Students Visit White House for Movie Screening
On April 20, four military-connected students from the D.C. area traveled to the White House to view the movie
“Bully,” a recently released documentary on the subject of school bullying. It focuses on five families who
experienced bullying. Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the president, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
addressed the audience. At the reception that followed in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the students
had the opportunity to engage with other attendees as well as with the families and students featured in the film.
An Updated Resource Is Now Available for Children With Special Needs
The updated Education Directory for Children with Special Needs is now available. It provides information
families can use to help them make informed decisions based on services available for their children when
relocating. It consists of two components:
1. The NEW Early Intervention Directory focusing on early intervention services for children
birth–3 years; and
2. The EXPANDED School Age Directory focusing on special education services for
children with special needs, ages 3–21.
The 15 states with the highest number of assigned military personnel are included in the directory: Arizona,
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. Both directories provide practical suggestions, information and resources to help
families in all states who have special-needs children with their transition to any new domestic location.
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11. Issue 6, August 2012
The Early Intervention Directory includes:
• A summary of national- and state-level early intervention (EI) trends;
• Descriptions of each state's EI system and related resources;
• Early intervention (EI) service provider profiles and contact information;
• Tools for helping families and their children make smooth transitions to new EI providers; and
• Links to national resource agencies.
The School-Age Directory includes:
• A summary of national- and state-level trends for special education for children identified with autism
spectrum disorders (ASD), Emotional/Behavior Disorders (E/BD) and Intellectual Disabilities (ID);
• Tools for helping families and their children make transitions to new school districts;
• Descriptions of each state's special education system and related resources;
• School district profiles and contact information about school districts that service domestic military
installations; and
• Links to national resource agencies.
You may link to the directory at http://pre.apps.mhf.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=EFMP_DIRECTORY:HOME:0::::EKMT:37.10.0.0.0.0.0.0.0. The
directory is also posted on MilitaryHomefront under TROOPS&FAMILIES, SPECIAL NEEDS/EFMP,
http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=MHF:HOME1:0::::SID:20.40.500.565.0.0.0.0.0, and STATESIDE DIRECTORY,
http://apps.mhf.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=EFMP_DIRECTORY:HOME:0. MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for
official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their families,
leaders, and service providers. For questions about the publication, please contact Lorie Sebestyen, MC&FP, Office of Special Needs, at
Lorie.Sebastyn@osd.mil/.
Contacts: Massie Ritsch, deputy assistant secretary for external affairs and outreach; Charles Boyer, special advisor for military families;
Cynthia Hearn Dorfman, advisor; Carrie Jasper, writer and editor; and Gary Jones, Nick Mammarella, Constance Gillette and Kathleen
Facon, contributors. To subscribe, unsubscribe or comment on this newsletter, please contact MilitaryContacts@ed.gov
Touching Base can be found online at http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/touchingbase
Note: This document contains information about and from public and private entities and organizations for the reader's information. Inclusion
does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any entity or organization or the products or services offered or
views expressed. This publication also contains hyperlinks and URLs created and maintained by outside organizations. They are provided
for the reader's convenience; however, the Department is not responsible for the accuracy of this information.
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12. CNRMA School Liaison Officer Newsletter
Navy School Liaison Officer
Connecting Navy Families, Commands and K-12 Schools
ou t h Pr o
nd Y gr
da
The Navy School Liaison Officer Program helps to ensure school personnel are aware of the
am
li
Ch
s
stressors on military families brought about by frequent transitions and extended deployments. NAVY CYP
X
What Services do School Liaison Officers Provide?
The School Liaison Officer specializes in serving military families and offers a wide spectrum
of services, enabling families to become more involved in their child’s educational experience.
Services include:
• Supporting families with inbound/outbound school transfers
• Providing information on local schools and boundaries
• Assisting with school choice
• Helping families understand the special
education process
• Providing information about graduation requirements
• Making military and community agency referrals
• Supporting families with the home schooling process
• Assisting with post-secondary preparation Hampton Roads
Naval Station Norfolk
JEB Little Creek-Fort Story
Naval Air Station Oceana
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
Northrop Grumman Shipyard, Newport News
Naval Support Activity Norfolk, Northwest Annex
Mid-Atlantic Regional SLO......................(757) 322-2679 Norfolk Naval Shipyard SLO...................(757) 438-3638
Naval Station Norfolk SLO......................(757) 322-2316 New London SUBASE SLO....................(860) 694-3772
NSA Hampton Roads SLO .....................(757) 438-3809 PNSY/NAS Brunswick SLO....................(207) 438-2466
NAS Oceana/Dam Neck SLO.................(757) 433-2496 Naval Station Newport SLO....................(401) 841-7126
JEB Little Creek SLO..............................(757) 462-4483 NIOC Sugar Grove SLO ..........................(304)249-6309
JEB Fort Story SLO .................(757) 422-7101 ext. 238 NSU Saratoga Springs SLO ......(518) 886-0200 ext 161
NWS Yorktown SLO ...............................(757) 887-4912
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